Oil-press



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

N. LITTELL.

, OIL PRESS.

No. 892,618. 7 Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

Gwen 1M (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet N. LITTELL.

OIL PRESS. No. 392,618. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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NORRIS LITIELL, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

Gib-PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 392,618, dated November13, 1888.

Application filed January 26, 1888. Serial No. 261,970. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, NoRRIs LITTELL, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State ofTennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inOil-Presses, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improvementin presses for expressing theoil from oil-meal, the object being to construct a device of thischaracter which shall be so simple in its con struction, inexpensive inits cost of manufacture, and perfect in its operation as to readilyrecommend itself to those persons employing such devices.

To this end my invention consistsin certain peculiarities in theconstruction, arrangement, and combination of parts, substantially aswill be hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in thesubjoined claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, and in whichlike letters of reference designate similar part-s, Figure 1 is, a

perspective view of two press'boxes, showing the same slightlyseparated. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective of the meal-receiving band.Fig. 3 is a front end view of the meal receiving band with itsextremities drawn apart, and showing a supplemental plate on theinterior of the same. Fig. i is a top plan of one of the press-boxes,showing the platen upon the same, the channels for the oil on the edgesof the box, the mouth thereof at the central edge of the box, and thestarter for the meal-band. Fig. 5 is a vertical section through a: so ofFig. 1, showing the position the parts assume in the act of expressingthe oil. Fig. 6 is a section through y y of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detailrepresentation of one of the drainage-plates, adapted to be locatedwithin the meal-receiving band above and beneath the meal, and showingmost clearly the slots therein for the escape of the oil; and Fig. 8 isa detail representation of the locking device for the door.

A A represent two pressboxcs, of which any desired number may be used.and which are preferably made tapering in the direction of their length,as shown. Each of these boxes A is provided with a door, B, the uppersurface of which is preferably flush with the front side, a, of the boxwhen in its closed position.

This door B is formed on its inner side with a recess, 13, situated ator near its center, and in its outermost free extremity with anotherrecess,']3, for the reception of a locking device, O, as shown in Fig.5, which locking device is by preference pivoted upon a rod, 0, situatedtransversely within a frame, 0*,secured to the side a of the box A. Thislocking device '0 is formed with a flange, 0, adapted to rest upon thetop of the door B when the same is locked in position, and above theflange c it is shaped to form a handle, 0, while its lowermostextremity, 0 is enlarged or cam-shaped, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, theobject of which will be fully set forth hereinafter.

The box Ais adapted to receive and accommodate a band, D, (shown indetail in Fig. 2,) closely fitting therein, and preferably constructedof some metal possessing elasticity, bent to a form similar to that ofthe said box A, and having immediately in the rear of its front side,(I, a supplemental strengthening and guiding plate,"D. This band D isdesigned for'the reception of the meal being operated upon, and it isprovided with a handle, E, for convenience in handling, which handle Iis secured to the band in any suitable manner,

but preferably by rivets e e, passing through the front side of the bandto the plate D. One of these rivets 6 works within an elongated slot, 6,formed onthe band, and, upon reference to Figs. 2 and 3, it will beobserved that the extremities f f of the band are not secured together,but are left free.

It will be thus seen that the baud, owing to the elasticity of the metalof which it is constructed and to the manner of its construction, willbe capable of being increased in size, in order to facilitate thewithdrawal therefrom of the meal-cake when the oil has been expressedfrom the meal. lhis enlarging of the size of the band is accomplishedsimply by drawing the side f therof laterally, and in order to securelyhold the extremities of the band against accidental displacementlaterally during the operation of expressing the oil from the meal thefront side of the band is provided with a pivoted lockingcatch, E,having its pivotal point on one side of the extremities of the band andits hook end 6 adapted to engage with a projection, c on theoppositeside thereof. Al though I have described only one of the sidesof the band as being capable of lateral movement, it will be quiteobvious that both of the sides may be so constructed without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. When the band D is located in positionwithin the box A, its handle E is situated within the recess B of thedoor 13.

The top and bottom of the band D are each provided with a removabledrainage-plate, F, (shown in detail in Fig. 7,) the one situated at thebottom of the band being kept from accidental displacement by means ofthe lugs g 9, formed on the band, while the plate at the top willobviously be placed upon the meal I5 and kept from displacement thereby.These drainage-plates F are formed with a series of transverse slots, F,the inner extremities of which terminate at a point near the center lineofthe same and on each side thereof, as shown, through which slots theoil will obviously cscape when the meal is being subjected to press ure.Ierforations may be employed instead of these slots; but the slots arepreferred as permitting an increased or better drainage.

The under side of the press-box Athat is, the portion which presentsitself to the pressing mechanism-is left open, and the box at this pointis constructed with inwardly-extending flanges h h, which guard againstver- 0 tical. displacement of the band D when situated therein.

The interior of the box A and also the flanges h h are formed withseries of grooves or recesses A A", which form passages for the oil, 5guiding it to a place of exit, the grooves A being formed on the top andbottom sides of the box and extending lengthwise thereof, while thegrooves A are formed in the front and rear sides of the same and run atan an- 4o gle to the grooves A.

The open end of the press-box Ais adapted to receive a platen, G, whichplaten is obviously made of a form similar to that of the said box A,and comprises the top or face 9 and the sides 9, secured to a base-piecewhich consists of the top board, a, of the next adjacent press-box. Thetop and sides of the platen G are formed with grooves G, which run in adirection parallel to those on the interior of the opposite press-box A,which correspond therewith in point of situation. It will thus be seenthat grooves or channels for the oil are provided running in differentdirections and leading to a common exit therefor, hereinafter described,so that the space over which the oil has to travel before reaching oneof these grooves or channels is reduced to the minimum, it having beenpractically demonstrated that thrce-eighths (t) of an inch is thegreatest (1o distance it will have to travel before reaching a channel.This is a feature of prime importance, and its advantage will be readilyrecognized and appreciated by those persons familiar with this class ofinvention.

The platen G is formed at or near its end with transverse slots H H,which encircle cross-rods I I, situated at the open end of the pressboxA, which rods I I serve as supports and guides for the said platen. Theouter edge of the top a of the press-box is formed with a groove, J,surrounding the platen and having a mouth, K, for the exit therefrom ofthe oil.

From the foregoing the operation of my device will be readilycomprehended. One of the drainage-plates F having been located inposition in the bottom of the band D and resting on the lugs y g, themeal is placed thereon and the other drainage plate F is placed upon themeal. The band with its contents is then placed within the box a, andthe door of-the box is locked in position by means of the locking devicehereinhefore described. A number of boxes having been filled in the samemanner, the device is ready for the pressure, which is applied by anysuitable pressing mechanism. This pressure upon being applied obviouslyexpresses the oil from the meal, leaving the same in the form of a cake,the oil running in the channels to the groove J, and therein to the exitK, which exit may, if desired, be connected with a pipe 1 leading to acommon receptacle. Heretofore the removal of the band from the box hasbeen attended with more or less difficulty, and it therefore becomesdesirable to provide means for facilitating this removal. For thispurpose, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, I have provided a connecting-rod, L,having its upper extremity enlarged and formed with a recess, Z, for thereception of a rod, Z, situated transversely within the frame O andimmediatelytoonesideoftheextremityofthelocking device O,which lockingdevice is adapted to act as alever operating thesaid connectingrod inthe manner hereinafter set forth. The extremity of the connecting-rod isalso formed with a recess, Z", for thereception of'the end of arock-arm, M, fulcrumed in plates or blocks N, secured on either sidethereof to the rear side,a'", ofthc press-box. The free extremity of thesaid rock-arm M is formed with a flange, O, passing through a slot, 0 inthe side a" of the press-box and abutting against the end of the band.

It will thus be seen that when sufficient pressure has been applied tothe meal to express the oil therefrom the locking device 0 is movedbackward or out of contact with the door B, which may then be raised touncover the box, and upon being moved back farther its camshapedextremity coming into contact with the extremity of the connecting-rod Ldepresses it, causing the extremity O of the rockshaft to come intocontact with and push upon the end of the band D with sufficient forceto render its removal from the box an easy matter, and the removal ofthe meal-cake from the band is next in order, which removal isfacilitated by the capability of the band to be enlarged, in the mannerbefore explained.

It will be observed that by means of the ICC drainage-plates hereindescribed a most perfect drainage is obtained without the necessity foremploying any sacks of cloth or leather mats whatever.

It will be observed, further, that with a device constructed after theplan herein set forth there will be no liability of the meal-cake running over while being pressed or of the oil returning thereto, and atthe same time the labor consequent upon the expressing of the oil fromthe meal is appreciably reduced. The device can be most readily andeasily handled and with the greatest rapidity, and can be attached toany of the standard presses of the day.

It will doubtless be found inv the practical construction of the deviceherein described that many of the details of construction might beadvantageously varied; and I therefore do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the precise construction herein shown and set forth,but reserve to myself the liberty of varying these details withoutdeparting from the general spirit of the invention.

I am aware that press-boxes for oil-presses have been constructed withgrooves on their interior, forming channels for the oil; but thesegrooves heretofore have only been formed on the horizontal sides of theboxes. With such a construction it has been found from practicalexperience that the drainage was very defective, and that the oil wasliable to return to the meal should it be forced through the top orsides thereof. In order to obviate these disadvantages, I construct mypress-boxes with channels both on the horizontal and on the verticalsides, and with those on the vertical sides running in a direction at anangle to those on the horizontal sides. It will thus be obvious that anincreased and better drainage is obtained, and that there will be noliability of the oil running to the cake when it has been expressedtherefrom.

Having now described the construction, advantages, and operation of myinvention,what I believe to be new, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, and what I therefore claim, is

1. A prcss-box for oil-presses, havingits interior formed with series ofgrooves, of which those on the vertical sides of the said box extend ina direction at an angle to those on the horizontal side thereof, for thepurpose set forth.

2. The combination, in an oilpress, of the press-box having its interiorformed with se ries of grooves, those on the sides thereof extending ina direction at an angle to those on the top, a meal-band situated withinthe said pressbox, and drainage plates respectively situated at thelower and upper side of the meal-band and adapted to receive the mealbetween them.

3. In an oil-press, the combination, with the press-box having itsinterior formed with grooves or channels, those on the sides thereofextending in a direction at an angle to those on the top, and a door forthe said press-box, of a pivoted locking device for the said door.

4:. In an oil-press the boxes A, one of which receives the meal and theother carries the platen, in combination with the said platen, havinggrooves or channels on its outer faces, and having also transverse slotsadapted to receive rods extending transversely of the opposite box.

5. The combination, in an oil-press, of a press-box formed on itsinterior with grooves or channels, of which those on the vertical sidesof the said box extend in a direction at an angle to those onthehorizontal side thereof, and also formed on its upper face with agroove or channel, for the purpose herein set forth, and a platensurrounded by the latter groove or channel.

6. An interiorly grooved or channeled press box, having also a groove orchannel on its upper surface, for the purpose set forth, in combinationwith a grooved or channeled platen surrounded by the said groove orchannel on the upper surface of the press-box.

7. In an oil-press, the combinatiomwith the pressb'ox having grooves orchannels for the oil running in opposite directions, of the platen, alsohaving grooves or channels'in its sides and top running in directionsparallel to those on the vertical and horizontal sides, respectively, ofthe press-box, substantially as described, whereby channels for the oilare provided running in different directions.

8. A press-box for oil-presses, having an open end, flanges h at thesaid open end, and interiorly formed with channels for the oil, of whichchannels those on the vertical sides run in a direction at an angle tothose on the horizontal side and on the flanges h.

9. An interiorly groovedorehanneled pressbox having an open end, andinwardly-extending channeled flanges at said open end, the grooves orchannels on the vertical sides of the press-box extending in a directionat an angle to those on the horizontal side, a mealband situated withinthe press-box, and drain-' age-plates respectively situated at the lowerand upper side of the mealdoand and adapted to receive the meal betweenthem, in combination with a platen adapted to enter the open end of thenext adjacent press-box and formed on its top and sides with grooves orchannels respectively running in a direction corresponding to that ofthe grooves or channels on the horizontal and vertical sides of thepress-box.

10. In an oilpress, the combination of a press'box having a door, alocking device for the said door having one extremity enlarged, ameal-band situated within the said pressbox, and a starter for the saidband adapted to be operated by the said locking device.

11. In an oil-press, the combination of a press-box having a door, ameal-band situated within the said box, a pivoted locking device for thesaid door, and a starter for the meal band adapted to be operated by thesaid locking device, and consisting of a connect-ing mod, a rock-armpivoted thereto and having its ex- IIO tremity abutting against themeal-band, and

fulcrum-plates situated upon opposite sides of the said rock-arm.

12. In an oil-press, the pressbox having a door formed with recesses onits inner side and outer face, respectively, and a meal-receiving bandhaving a handle adapted to be received by the recess on the inner sideof the door, in combination with a locking device pivoted on the side ofthe press-box, extending through the recess on the free extremity of thedoor, and having a flange adapted to rest on the face of the said door.

13. A metallic meal-band bent to a form sub stantially such as shown andformed with a slot, in combination with a supplemental plate in the rearof said slot and a pin passing;

through the slot to the supplemental plate, whereby the band is capableof enlargement, for the purpose set forth.

14. A metallic meal-band having a handle crossing its extremities andformed with a slot, in combination with asupplemental plate in the rearof said slot, a rivet passing from the handle through the slot to thesupplemental plate, and a pivoted locking device for the band.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NORRIS LITTELL.

Witnesses:

P. F. TYLER, '1. F. CASSELS.

